Lockett’s Arkansas Commitment Will Change Narrative Of Landing Top Talent

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Due to the influence of social media recruiting has turned into a wildfire that cannot be contained.

Individual tweets from high profile recruits are viewed like hawks stalking its prey. What’s even neater is the social influence that high profile commitments have on other elite prospects.

The Thursday commitment of 2026’s Tay Lockett sent shockwaves through Twitter. So much that other future college football superstars are intrigued by his Arkansas pledge. All you have to do is look at the quote tweets of Lockett’s commitment graphic to understand how huge this is for Arkansas.

Lockett committed to Arkansas over 38 other programs including Georgia, USC, Michigan, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami, Washington and others.

This moment certainly changes the perspective that Razorback Football cannot attract a top talent.

Elias Coke, 6-foot-2, 195 pound ATH from Pennsylvania. He holds offers from 19 programs including Florida State, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State.

https://x.com/eliascoke1/status/1694851281909592363?s=46&t=XX7ZacQK0oEEyrv3FOp6Aw

Samari Matthews 6-foot 170 pound DB from Cornelius, (N.C.). He is the 52nd ranked prospect in the 2026 class and holds offers from Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida State, North Carolina and Kentucky.

https://x.com/samari_matthews/status/1694851227278889389?s=46&t=XX7ZacQK0oEEyrv3FOp6Aw

Instate QB Kane Archer is very high on the commitment of Lockett.

https://x.com/kanearcher9/status/1694848851402756143?s=46&t=XX7ZacQK0oEEyrv3FOp6Aw

2026 top 5 prospect Jackson Cantwell. The 6-foot-7.5 300 pound OT has 19 offers from Arkansas, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Missouri. He is ranked at the fourth best prospect in the nation and is from Nixa, (Mo.).

https://x.com/jcantwell2499/status/1694846333356573012?s=46&t=XX7ZacQK0oEEyrv3FOp6Aw

Fellow OL Bear McWhorter seems to be considering Arkansas as a landing spot. He isn’t currently rated by 247sports but does hold 20 offers including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Texas. The 6-foot-4 297 pounder is from Cartersville, (Ga.).

https://x.com/bearmcwhorter/status/1694843751737229335?s=46&t=XX7ZacQK0oEEyrv3FOp6Aw

Jake’s Take

I haven’t seen a Razorback Football staff stack recruiting classes like this before. Things are changing in Fayetteville. Recruits are seeing the program differently…that the Hogs’ stock is rising. A program that’s capable of consistent winning football in the SEC.

In the past, Arkansas has really not focused at getting commits from multiple classes which put them behind in the long run…especially with the more touted prospects.

Credit to Sam Pittman for putting together a hell of a staff. I have no doubt that he has Razorback Football’s best interests at heart.

Some folks will say, Arkansas hasn’t been a consistent winner in the SEC before. How about chewing on this for a minute.

Look at the 14 season run from 1998-2011. Even 1995 was a solid season before Ford’s program digressed.

Six 9+ win seasons
Three 10 win seasons
One 11 win season
3 SEC Championship Game appearances

Those great seasons weren’t flukes. Arkansas has a track record of being competitive in the conference.

Four losing seasons in seven years will bring the morale of any fanbase down. The fact of the matter is things are changing in Fayetteville. There’s a standard now and I don’t believe Sam will waiver from that.

The 2022 season was a letdown and far from most expectations due to many things out of his hands. It’s time to have confidence in them, they’re trending up. Maybe not at the pace a lot of folks had hoped for but he’s built a great foundation that doesn’t have a ceiling on it.

Is Arkansas finally realizing it’s potential and waking up the sleeping giant Frank Broyles created?